The National Disability Insurance Scheme, which just 10 years ago existed in name only, is now Australia’s second most expensive social program after the aged pension.

At an annual running cost of $35.8 billion in 2022-23, the federal government will spend more on the NDIS this financial year than Medicare ($30.8 billion), aged care ($27.7 billion), and support for state government hospitals ($27.3 billion).